"This work is unlike any other, in its range of rich, conjuring imagery and its dexterity, its smart voice. Carroll-Hackett doesn’t spare us—but doesn’t save us—she draws a blueprint of power and class with her unflinching pivot: matter-of-fact and tender." —Jan Beatty

There is an old story of a bear who goes into her den to dream the world into being during the winter. She dreams of deer, and pine, of clear water, sweet berries, and buffalo. She creates the world anew, each being, entire ecosystems, during the course of each winter, with her dreams. When she emerges into the green of spring, trailed by her cubs, she celebrates and is celebrated by all the creatures of the earth.

Centuries ago Aristotle said, “The soul cannot think without pictures. The reasoning mind thinks in the form of images… As the mind determines the objects it should pursue or avoid in terms of these images, even in the absence of sensation, it is stimulated to action when occupied with them.”

More recently, Denis Watley, a noted psychologist, brought attention again to this idea through The Secret.

We too can dream our world into being.

Visualization is similar to daydreaming. In both processes you create mental images; the difference between visualization and daydreaming is intention. Daydreaming allows your mind to wander, but when you visualize and focus on something specific, you are putting intention, all your beautiful power as a sacred soul, behind it.

It is the intention that creates the energy that creates the attraction. The attraction starts the action that produces the manifestation.

Ancient cultures understood this well. The bear, with its ability to seemingly die in winter and remerge in spring with new life, has long symbolized transformation, and the transformative power of dreams. Understanding the bear’s gifts, we have looked to this creature as teacher and guide and healer. These connections held true for ancient cultures around the world – anywhere people and bears lived together.

My New Year’s wish for all of you is that you come to know how beautiful and sacred and powerful you truly are, how powerful your dreams, and that in this coming year, you dream your perfect spring into being, that we all do. May 2016, for everyone, be filled with peace, and joy, and Love–always always Love ❤